So You Want to Be a Better Soccer Player

Throughout the world millions of dedicated soccer fans- Heading - an obvious advantage here is the capability
will turn out to support their favourite team, sometimesof being able to jump higher than your opponents so
purely to watch their one, most admired and giftedthat you can win the ball in the air. So what do all of
superstar. These legends have included such sportingthe above points have in common? Certainly skill plays
heroes as Pele, Ronaldinho and David Beckham.a large part. This comes from your coaching, repetition
Each week thousands will aspire to emulating theand practice. Another, often overlooked, requirement is
greats, hoping to achieve the fame and wealth thatthe stamina and endurance to be able to perform all of
goes with being a world-class soccer player. Most will,these elements over and over again during the course
more realistically, just want to improve their ownof a 90-minute soccer match.
personal levels of ability, stamina and fitness.How are you going to make yourself stand out from
There are many skills involved in playing thethe next player, who could be from the opposing side,
magnificent game, which can take years to learn andor even your own team members vying with you to
master.get off the substitutes bench and on to the playing
- Passing - the most fundamental of all soccer skills,field? What advantage are you going to be able to
having the ability to pass the ball accurately to one ofgive yourself so that you are the 'automatic choice' for
your own team members.the first team week after week?
- Shooting - whether it be that vital penalty shot to winWell, the answer to this is to be better equipped to
the match, or a free kick that allows your team todeal with the physical stress and strain imposed on
develop an attack.your body. The way that you can achieve this is by
- Dribbling - as straightforward as being able to runfollowing a well structured and proven conditioning
with the ball while still keeping it under control. Someprogram that will make you a much stronger, fitter and
players can make this into an art form!more competitive athlete.
- Throwing - an accurate, long range throw-in can beThe player who is in the best physical condition will
as beneficial to your team as a free kick whenprevail!
performed with skill, strength and agility.